Printing press



Jam 2 1936. E. olssEAu ET AL 1,744,204

PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 17. 1926 8 SheetsShee 1 n 21; 1930. ra BOISSEAU Et AL 1,744,204

PRIN'ING PRESS Filed Aug. 17. 1925 B ShetsSheet 4 Jan. 21, 19304 E. BOISSEAU ET AL V PRINTING PRESS 8 Sheets-Sheei 5 Filed Aug. 17, 1926 mwV INVENTO S Jan. 21, 1930. E. BOISSEAU ET AL PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 17. I926 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 A TTOR Y Jan 21, 1930, E. BOISSEAU ET AL 1,744,24

PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 17. 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTO fi W ATTOR y,

Jan. 21, 1930. E. BOISSEAU ET AL PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 17, 1926 8 SheetsSheet 8 Paitcnted Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDMOND BOISSEAU AND EDWARD J. DUFFY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

rnmme rimss Application filet] August 17, 1926. Serial No. 129,673.

The invention relates to printing presses, and more particularly to a novel and useful inking mechanism for fast rotary presses.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinaf'ter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained bymeans of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts,

constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and de scribed.

The accompanying drawings, referred to hercin and constitutmg a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to"explain the principles of the invention. Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a rotary printing press i-nking mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, looking at Fig. 1

from the right Fig. 3 is a -fragmentary elevation, greatly enlarged of the lower right-hand part of Fi 1;

Fig. 4: is a fragmentary, vertical, transverse section, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical, transverse section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, vertical, longitudinal section, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan, with parts broken away, of the ink-supplying means shown near the. center of Fig. 1 and in section in Fig. 8:

8 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken on the line S 8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a detail fragmentary elevation,-

with parts in section, of the ink supply rescrvoir=shown in Fig. 8.

The invention has among its objects providing a more adequate, flexible and nice regulation for the inking supply of fast rotary presses, and especially for such presses using printing plates varying widely in their char.

- acteristics and requirements as to inking. An

4 0 example of such variations is found in the pose which are manually settable or regulable and having this adaptability in cooperative relation with other setting' and regulating means, both automatic and 1nanual.

It Wlll be understood, however, that while our invention finds one of its chief fields of nsefulness in fast rotary presses, it is both applicable and extraordinarily efficient with other kinds of presses and printing.

The invention is directed further to providing a general regulation and control of the inking mechanism and the ink supply to adapt them for use with difierent kinds or qualities of printing paper which may be used on the press. Such -general or universal regulation, of the ink supply to fit the quality 7 of paper used is capacitated to cooperate with the regonal or areal control of the ink supply for 311 parts or areas of the various plate clinders or other printing surfaces requiring difi'erent amount of inking.

There is further pro vided by the invention means cooperating with, and fnnctioning simultaneously with. the controlling and regulating ineans already described, which automatically regulates and controls the ink supply to correspond to the speed of the press.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be primarily set forth later herein in connection with the detailed description of the -present preferred embodment of the invention.

The invention comprises among its principal instrumencalities, in the present preferred embodiment, a source of ink supply under regulable pressure, adapted to give a continuus and uniform primary supply. This supply, which may be primarily' regulated as stated, is.further subjected to the control and'rgulation of a mechanism in speed responsive relation to the press. This mechanismautomatically increases the ink supply proportionately with increases in the press speed, and automatically decreases it proportionately to decreases in the ress speed.

In-sequential relation to t e foregoing are devices for efi'ecting a very nice and varied fced or regulation of the ink to difl'erent a'reas upon the plate cylinder, dependent on the needs or requirements of the particular kind of stereotype plate or other printing surface on the particular area of the plate. In conjunction therewith there is also provided a manual regulation, which cooperates with, while leaving undisturbed, the regional regulating mechanism justa described and Which also cooperates withthe press-speedgoverned regulating devices (likewise already described) This manual regulation is adapted to regulnte the entire mechanism for the quality or kind of paper being run through the press.

The invention provides further means for applying the ink supply resulting from the various governing and regulating devices to an ink-distributing cylinder, which may be the same as or.similar to the corresponding device in the ordinary inking mechanism usually provided for fast rotary presses.

It will be understood that the foregoing general description of the invention, and the following detailed description thereof as well, are exemplaryand explanatory of the invention, but are notrestrictive thereof.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention, illu'strated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown applied to a rotary printing.press of the newspaper type, and is flirther shown as utilizing a part 01: the usual or standard inking mechanism for such presses. In the drawings (Figs. 1 and 2) the plate cylinder 1 of a rotary printing couple is j ournaled at 3 in the machine frame 4.

Cooperating with the plates on cylinder 1 are the form inking rollers 5, which may be of any desired pumber and form. These form rollers receive their ink from a dir tributing cylinder 6, having its shaft 8 journaled in the machine frame by bearings 9. One or more ink rolls 7, which may be of any known or suitable kind, cooperate with the cylinder 6. Any suitable or convenient form of drive may beprovidcd for the cylinder 6, and as shown a spiral pinion 10 is fixed on shaft 8, and meshes with a spiral gear 11, fixed on a driving shaft 12, journaled in bearings 13 on the machine frame. The foregoing structure may be regarded as typical and may 'be varied as desired or as may be found most convenient or eflcient.

Referring now to the details of the present preferred embodiment of' our invention, a source of ink supply under pressure is pro vided, and this pressure may be provided by gravity, or by a pump or by air ressure, or otherwise. ,The supply of 1nk un er pressure is represented in the drawings by a pipe 21, coming from the source of ink under pressure (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and H). This pipe conveys the ink under pressure into a chamber 22, formed within a casing 23. This casing 23 is supported on one or more brackets 25 bolted to the machine frame. The chamber 'extends transversely and prefcrahly horizonvided on the opposite side of the chamber 22 from the ink supply pipe 21. These outlet openings are suficient in number to provide the desired number or sub-divisions of independently-controlled inking areas upon the plates on the form cylinder.

Controlling the ink fiow through all of the outlets 24 is a single valve mechanism, which is controlled and positioned by the speed at which the press is running. As embodied (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6) a tapered cylinder 29 is rotatively fitted into a transversely-disposed cylindrical opening 30 in the general casing 23. The cylinder and the opening are tapered so as to always insure an ink-tight fit, while permitting easy rotative movement of the valve cylinder 29.

T 0 further insure such tight fit and an easy rotation, the left-hand end of cylinder 29 in Fig. 4 is shouldered at 36, and a ball-bearing, comprising race plates 33 and 34, with an interposed series of balls.35, bear against the flat face of the shoulder 36 and encircle the concentric reduced shaft portion 37. A helical compression spring 38 presses against the race plate 35, and against a closure plate 39, which is fastened to the side face of the chamber 23 by screws 40. Thus the tapered cylinder 29 is impelled t0 a close, ink-tight fit within its conical opening by spring 38, and the hall-bearing insures free rotative movement.

A plurality of channeI-ways 41, corresponding in number and position to the outlet openings 24, extend through the valve cyl- V rotative movement of the valve 29 brings its valve channels 41 into more orless full registry With the outlets 24 and the correspond-- as will be later described.

The embodied form of means for moving and controlling the valve 29 from the rotating printin mechanism, and proportionally to the spee comprises an arm 53, having a hub 54 fitting on the external, reduced concentric end 55 of the shaft of cylinder valve 29. Arm 53 is held angularly in position by a key 56. Pivoted at 57 to the end of arm 53 is a connecting link 58, which at its other end 59 is pivoted to an arm 60 of a bell-crank lever fixed to a shaft 61 journaled on the machine frame. The other arm 62 of thebell crank lever is fixed on shaft 61 and communicates with the spindle 63 of a centrifuge! governor. mechanism 64 (Figs. 1 and 2), mounted on a bracket 65 fixed on the machine frame.

This governor mechanism may be of a standard type, having the centrifugal halls 66, and driving mechanism therefor compris ing intermeshmg beveled pinions 67 and 68. The -shaft 73 of pinion 68 is journaled in'a bearing 74. Fixed on shaft 73 is a sprocket wheel 69, over which runs an endless sprocket chain 70, which runs also over a sproket wheel 71', which is fixed-on the shaft 8 of the ink distributing cylinder 6.

Thus the governor speed 13 synchronizcd With that of the press. A settable positioning or regulating device 72, which may be of some standard form, may be provided for initially setting or positioning the valve 29 relatively to the governor .spindle 63 in a usual manner. Thus the flow of in}; under Pressure through the mechanism ]ust described is exCeedingly nicelv regulated in accordance With the speed 0 the press.

Further means are provided by our 1nven tien, cooperating With the mechanisms already described, for regulating the supply of ink to the various parts of the plate cylinder, and thislocal areal regulation may be as minute as possible, depending upon the structure of the mechanism, which in turn will depend upon the needs or requirements of the particular case. As embodied (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6,7, 8 and 9) there is a settable regulating device for the flow of ink through each of the ink conduits 42. This device preferably operates se uentially, for each of the ink conduits 42,a ter the eneral control from the press speed already escri bed.

Referring now to the details of structure .of the embodied form of said devices, a plurality of longitudinally-movabla valve cylinders 87 are provided, one for .eachgnk cond t 42. The valves 87 are arranged in two rows in staggered relation, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, for convenience and compactness.

Each valve cylinder 87 is disposed in the path of the corresponding ink conduit 42, and moves endwise of itself and transversely to its conduit 42. Each of the valve cylinders 8711s provided with 9. passage 88 similar in shape to the conduits 42 and adapted to pass more or less into and out of register with the cqrres onding conduit 42, to control the ink flow tlerethrough by the longitudinal movement of the valve 87. The valves 87 are each reciprocably mounted in cylindrical openings 90 in the casing 23, and are preferably provided with gasket.-rings 91 on either side of the ink passage 88 t0 render them ink-tight.

The heads of the respective cylindrical valves 87 have attached thereto means for effecting a nice and exact longitudinal movement of the valve cylinders.while preventing rOtary,movement thereof, so as to maintain their openings in angular alinement With the ink conduits. The heads of the valve cylinders (Fig. 6) fitwithin cylindrical recesses in the bottom surface of.rectangular blocks 95, the cylinders being fixed to the blocks by pins 96.

The respective blocks 95 are reciprocably mounted in guideways 97 and 98 formed of angle pieces (Figs. 5 and 6), one for eacli row of valves, and which are fixed to the under side of a valve-plate 99, by suitable means Such as screw bolts 100. The rectangular blocks 95 have rotatively attached thereto, respectively, screw-threaded rods 107, which are screW-threaded into the valveplate 99, and are provided with suitable hand turning heads 108.

Thus each of the valves 87 is individually nicely and exactly positionable with respect to the valve-plate 99, and also With respect to every one of the other valve cylinders 87, thereby providing an independent and individual control for. the ink flow under pressure througheach of the respective ink conduits 42,thereby to control the ink supply to the respective relatively small areas along and around the plate cylinder. The valveplate 99' is furthcr positionable and controllable so as to provide a further geneial regulat1on and control of the ink supp lv through all the valVes 87 simultaneously, without d1sor control would lie necessary or advanta* geous commdent -W1th the areal ontrol which might be necessary or desirable for the diflerent characteristics of the lates, such as the resence of halftones and etter-press on diferent parts of a late cylinder.

In the embodie form of said means for positionally controlling the valve-plate 99 (Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6), this plate at either end thereof is seated in supports 120 and 121, the ends of the valve-plate resting upon supporting surfaces 122 and 123, and abutting on end positioning surfaces 124 and 125. T e valve plate is maintained against lateral displacement by flange plates 118 and 119 projecting upwardly from the eneral casmg. The valve-plate is attache thereto by suitable means, such as screw-bolts 126 and 127.

Each of the supports 120 and 121 is provided on its under side with beveled surfaces 128 and 129, which contact and cooperate with like surfaces on two travelable wedgeblocks 138 and 139. The wedge blocks are seated in guideways 140 and 141, formed in the structure of the general casing 23, to have longitudinal movcment toward and from each other, to raise and lower the valve-plate 99, but a re constrained fron1 lateral displacement.

The embodied form of actuating and controllingz means for the wedge blocks (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) comprises a screw-shaft 146, having screw-tln'eaded portions 147 and 148, screw threded respectively into the blocks 138 and 139. ()ne screw thread is left-handed and the othcr right-handed, so that the wedgeblocks sinmltaneously Will approach each othcr or will recede from each other. The embodied means for rotating and positioning screw-shaft 146 comprises a bearing 151 in a hracket 152, bolted at 153 upon the general casing 23. A collar 154 is pinned t0 scrwshaft 146 by a pin 155, the collar bearing on the inner face of the journal block-151. The hub 157 of an arm 158 is fastened to the sciew shaft by a pin 159 and beurs on the opposite lfixed upon the arm 158. A stop or positimiing pin 163 may also be used incohnect1on with the ar1n 158.

The calibrations of the dial will furnish anapproximate indication of the setting for any particular quality of paper, or any othcr factors affecting the printing, and the experience and observation of the pressman will be a factor in nice regulation.

Each of the screw rocls 107 is preferably provided with an integral plate 178. which *cajn:be used with a gage 1nterposed between the plate 178 and the top of the valve-plate 99 to,give an initial or general setting for all of the valves 87, the individual settings for the vari0us valves being made thereafter from these positions.

Means are provided for conducting the various re ulated streams of ink under pressure to the ifferent parts of the inking mechanism, and in the embodied form (Figs. 1, 2, 7,

8 and 9), each of the ink conduits 42 delivers ink into a pipe 179. The pipes 179 communicate with individual means for suppl ing the ink to a relatively small area on the in ing mechanism or plate cylinder in order to maintain the regulation throughout. As embodied, the pipes 179 discharge the ink into correspondmg compartments 180, of relatively narrow width in a reservoir block 181. These com artments are separated by walls 177.

T e reservoir block is supported on brackets 182 so as to permit of nice and exact positional regulation, preferably in a radial direction, of the supplying reservoirs relative to the, distributing cylinder 6 or equivalent device. In the embodied form of such positional regulation, the brackets 182 are provided with slots 187 disposed radially relatively to cylinder 6, and through which pass screw-bolts 188.

On the under side of each of the brackets 182 is a lug 189, having a true face, on which face abuts the ends of a screw 190, which is reservoir relatively to the ink distributing cy inder may be secured.

The respective individual supply reservoirs terminate at their ink delivering end in narrow, horizontally-disposed passages 195, and there may be either one of these discharge passages. or a plurality thereof, for each of the individual reservoirs. As shown in the drawings, there are a plurality of these discharge openings 195 formed in the forward wall of each of the individual supply reservous.

Below the series of discharge orifices is a concaved lip 196, having its exterior surface curvcd substantially on the radius on the dis: tributing cylinder 6, and this lip extends in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the cylinder. This constitutes an effective seal and safeguard against leakage and spreading of the ink downwardly from the supply reservoir. A common lid or closure 197 is provided for all the individual supply reservoirs, and as embodied the lid is provided with a beveled nose 198, and a horizontal edge 199, fitting closely upon the horizontal seats 200 between the supply orifices 195. The lid 197 is held in position b suitable means, such as screw-bolts 201 an 202.

The manner of operation of the mechanism Will be clear from the foregoing descriptions of the operations of each group of mechanism, but a brief resum may be given as follows:

The ink is supplied under pressure through the pipe 21, and the supply thereof is primarily regulated in accordance With the s eed of the press by means of the valve 29, W ich is positionally cntrolled with the speed of the press by the governor mechanim. An absolute or basic relation of the ink supply to the press speed can be determined bv the ressmen through the setting 72, and the Eurther regulation will be automatically m efiected b the speed of the press.

4 To fart er regulate the ink supply to conform to the varying inking requirements along the plate, dependent upon the nature of the plate, as, for instance, whether half toue or other illustrational matter, or latterpress, can be affected by the individual setting of the various valves 87. Here also a common or basic setting for all of the valves 87 may be primarily effected by the use of a gage between the heads of the screws 107 and the top of the valve-plate 99. The individual setting of the screw rods to either slightly increase or decrease the Supply will be a very simple matter within the skill and experience of the pressman.

Should further general regulation and control be desired, as, for instance, for a particu lar kind of paper run through the press, or for any other reason or factor, this can be effected immediatel and with the greatest degree of nicety anccorrectnss through the handle 158.

From all the foregoing it will be understood that a mechanism has been provided constituting an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and realizing the objects and advantages herein set forth, together with other objects and advantages. It will beunderstood further that departures may be made from the exact mechanism as shown and described, within the scope of the accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

1. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination asource of ink supply and centrifugally operated means including a plurality of valve ports controlled by the press speed for regulating said'ink supply.

2. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a source of ink supply includmg a valve havinga plurality of ports controlled by the 'press Speed for rcgulating said ink supply.

3. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a source of ink supply and centrifugally operated means including a plurality of valve ports ontrolled by the press speed for regulating said ink supply and individual conduits for conducting the ink forwardly to the press from the respective valve ports.

4. A printin press inking mechanism including in com ination a source of ink supply, means including a valve having a plurality of ports controlled b the ress speed for regulating said ink suppYy and individual conduits for conducting the ink forwardly to thepress from the respective valve ports.

5. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a source of ink supply, Centrifugally operated means including a plurality of valve orts controlled by the press speed for regu ating said ink supply, individual conduits for conducting the ink forwardly to the press from the respective valve ports and means for further controlling the ink supply areally along the plate cylinder.

' 6. A printin press inking mechanism including in comrination a source of ink supply, means including a valve having a plu rality of ports controlled by the press speed for regulating said ink supply, individual conduits for conducting the ink forwardly to the press from the respective valve ports, and means for further controllingthe inksupply areally along the plate cylinder.

7. A printin press inking mechanism including in comfination a source of ink supply under pressure, a regulating mechanism therefor including a rotatable valve member having a plurality of ink passages therethrough, means for rotating the valve member, and ir1dependent conduits for conducting the ink forward from the respective ink passages in the valve member.

8. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a plurality of ink conduits, means for supplying ink therto under pressure, means for independently regulating the ink flow. in the various conduits, and common means for simultaneously varyin the ink-regulating settings of said independent regulating means without disturbin the relative regulation of ink flow -bv sa1d independent reglating means.

9. A printing press i'nking mechanism including in combination a plurality of ink conduits, means for supplying ink theret under pressure, a valve in each ink conduit. rcgulating means for each of said valves, and common independently operating regulating rneans for all said valves.

10. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a plurality of ink conduits, means for supplying. ink thereto under pressure, a valve in each ink conduit, manually-operated regulating means for each of said valves, and common independently operating regulating means for all said valves.

11. A printing press inking mechanisrn in cluding in combination a plurality of ink conduits,means for supplying ink thereto under pressure, a valve in each ink conduit, regulating means for each of said valves, and manuallyoperated common independently operating regulating means for all said valves.

12. A printin press inking mechanism including 1n com mation a plurality of ink conduits, means for supplying ink thereto under pressure, a valve in each ink conduit, manua ly-operated regulating means for each of said valves, manually-operated common independently operating regulating means for all said valves, and independently operating automatic means for 1egulatiflg the ink flow in the conduits.

13. A printing press inking mechanism including in combmation a plurality of ink conduits, means for supplying* ink thereto under pressure, a valve in each ink conduit, manne ly-operated regulating means for each of said valves, manually-operated common independently operating regulating means for all said valves, and independently operating automatic means operating responsively to the press speed for regulatmg the ink flow in the conduits.

14. A printing press inking mchanism including in combination an ink supply, a plu malityof ink conduits, a valve in each of said conduits, individual moving means for each of said valves, and means for moving all said valves together to regulate the ink flow through said valves.

15. A printing press inking niechanism including in combmation an ink supply, a plurality of ink conduits, a plunger valve in each conduit, means for movin each valve longitudinally independently 0 the others, and means for longitudinally moving all the valves together to regulate the ink flow through said valves.

16. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a source of ink supply under pressure, means controlled b the press speed for primarily regulating tlie supply, means for controllmg the ink supply individually t0 areal divisions et the plate cylinder, and common independently operable means for regulating the entire supply to the plate cylinder.

17. A printing press inking mechanism including m combination a source of ink supply under pressure, means controlled by the press speed for primarily regulating the suply, means for controlling the ink su ply inividually to areal divisions et the p ate cylinder,'and common independently operable means for regulating the entire supply to the plate cylinder without disturbing the relative regulation of ink supply by said individual regulating means.

18. A printing press inking mechanism includingin combination a source of ink supply, means controlled by the press speed for regulating said ink supply, individual conduits for conducting the, 1nl forwardly to the press from said reglating means, and common independentl) operating means for further re cluding in combination a source of ink sup- 4 ply, means controlled by the press speed for regulating said ink suppl 1ndividual conduits for conducting the ini forwardly to the press from said rcgulating means, a valve in each conduit, and common means for actuating the valves to regulate the ink supply in all the conduits.

21. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a source of ink supply, means controlled by the press speed for regulating said ink supply, individual conduits for conducting the ink forwardly to the press from said regulating means, a valve in each conduit, and common, manually o erable means for actuating the valves to regu ate the ink supply in all the conduits.

22. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination ah ink supply, a plurality of ink conduits, a valve in each of said conduits, common supporting means for all said valves, individual moving means for varying the setting of each of said valves, and means for moving said common support- 1ng means to simultaneously vary the setting of all said valves together.

, 23. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an ink supply, a plurality of ink conduits, a valve in each of said conduits, common supporting means for all said valves, individual moving means for varying the setting of each of said valves,

and independent means for moving said common supporting means to simultaneously vary the setting of all said valves together.

24. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an ink supply, a plurality of ink conduits, a valve in each of said conduits, common supporting means for all said valves, individual moving means for varying the setting of each of said valves, and. independent, manually-operable means for moving said comnion supporting means to simultaneously vary the setting of all said valves together.

25. A printing press inkin mechanism including in combination an in sup ly, a plurality of inkconduits, a plunger val ve in each conduit, common supporting means for all said valves, means for moving each valve independently of the others, and means for moving said common supporting means to move all the valves together.

26. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a source of ink supply,

9. centrifugal governr running proportionately to the press speed, and means including a rotatable valve controlled by the goverflor for regulating the ink supply t a plurality of ports, whereby the ink supply to the press is increased When the press speed increases and is decreased when the press speed decreases, and means for further controlling the ink supply areally alog the cylinder.

27. The method of controlling the ink for a printing press which comprises supplying ink from a general supply to a plurality of small streams, primarily regulating the entire supply of said streams proportionately to the speed of the press, thereafter imposing a secondary, common and simultaneons reg ulation upoh the ink in said streams for the kind 01E paper being prixxted upon, and inde penolently 01E said common regulioms con trofling the individual fiows in said streams to satisfy the varying inking requirements ai: different areas of the pyinting cylinder.

In testimony whereof, we have signed om names to this specification.

EDMOND BOISSEAU v EDWARD J.. DUFFY. 

